Glossary
Irregular beeswax constructions built by bees in spaces larger than bee space (3/8 inch). Burr comb bridges gaps between frames, attaches frames to box walls, and fills any void that exceeds the bees' preferred corridor width.
Bees are compulsive builders. Any gap larger than 3/8 inch inside the hive represents wasted space to them, and they will fill it with wax. Burr comb (also called brace comb, bridge comb, or wild comb depending on its shape and location) is the result of this impulse. It appears between the tops of frames and the inner cover, between frames that have drifted apart, on the bottom bars of frames, and in any other space that exceeds bee space.
While burr comb is natural and inevitable, it complicates hive management. It glues frames together, making them difficult to remove for inspection. It creates connections between boxes that must be broken apart when separating supers. And it can redirect the bees' comb-building effort away from the frames where you actually want them working.
The most common burr comb locations are: between the top bars of frames and the bottom of the box or cover above them (where the gap often exceeds bee space); between the end bars of frames and the hive walls (when frames shift during transport); and on the bottom bars of upper box frames connecting to the top bars of the box below. Colonies in warm climates (like Florida) tend to produce more burr comb because wax production is faster in warm temperatures.
Scraping burr comb during every inspection is standard practice. Use the flat end of your hive tool to slice it away from frame tops and box edges. Save the scrapings; they are pure beeswax that can be melted, filtered, and used in candle-making or skincare products. Preventing excessive burr comb starts with maintaining proper bee space: ensure frames are pushed together properly after inspection and that equipment is well-maintained without warped or damaged components.
Burr comb is natural and not a sign of hive disease or poor management. It is a maintenance issue: bees build it because gaps in the hive exceed bee space. Regular scraping during inspections keeps it manageable. It only becomes a real problem if it makes frames impossible to remove for inspection.
Yes. Burr comb is pure beeswax, often cleaner than brood comb because it has never been used for raising bees. Collect your scrapings, melt them gently in a double boiler, filter through cheesecloth, and use the rendered wax for candles, lip balm, beeswax wraps, or furniture polish.
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